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How to Start Your Own Classical Music “Book” Club
Although most of my blog posts are tailored towards musicians, I am passionate about spreading the joys of classical music to everyone – musicians and non-musicians alike. Whether you played an instrument as a child, know a musician, or just enjoy classical music, I believe everyone should have a basic understanding and appreciation for classical music. That’s why I’m here – to help you create your own classical music appreciation club. Classical music often gets a bad reputation. My (non-musician) friends still don’t understand how I can sit through such long pieces when they are used to catchy, synthesized tunes in under five minutes. The general population associates classical music…
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How to Become a Master Sight Reader
Sight reading – the thought itself invokes terror among students and professionals alike. This is a crucial skill for musicians to master, yet many are unsure how to approach it. How do you prepare for the unknown? It can be anything – altissimo, complicated rhythms, ornaments, complex fingerings, or all of these combined! The secret to practicing sight-reading is three simple words: Are you ready for the secret? Just do it! (Thanks, Nike!) I am always shocked at how many of my students do not even attempt to practice sight-reading. Like everything else in life, the hardest part is facing your fear. I like to remind my students that sight…
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52 Ways to Practice Your Scales
One New Year’s resolution for musicians that never goes out of style? Scales. Think you already know your scales? Think again. Learning the notes to each scale is just the beginning. Below are several patterns and sequences to build technique and mastery of scales. I’ve included 52 different ideas so you can have something new to practice every week this year. Happy practicing! 1. Written “normal” scale 2. Natural minor 3. Harmonic minor 4. Melodic minor 5. Major pentatonic scales 6. Minor pentatonic scales 7. Octatonic scales 8. Whole tone scales 9. Blues scales 10. Chromatic scales 11. Ionian mode (aka major scale) 12. Dorian mode 13. Phrygian mode 14.…
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Gross Habits Every Musician Should Break
Let’s get real for a second. Being a musician can be gross sometimes. Using the same mouthpieces and equipment for hours every day is germ-a-palooza, and let’s not even get started on spit valves. Here are a few suggestions to make 2016 a cleaner and more sterilized year for musicians. Wash your hands. Not only will this keep you from getting sick, but it’s also a good way to protect the spread of grime from your hands to your instrument. Brush your teeth. You know what’s worse than dirty hands? Blowing half-eaten food particles from your mouth into your horn. Clean your swab. When was the last time you laundered…
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Pinterest-Inspired Organization for All Your Music and Accessories
I don’t know about you, but over the years I’ve collected quite the amount of clarinet and music-related paraphernalia. I’m sure every musician knows the struggle of accumulating years’ worth of random music, accessories, and other tchotchkes. I used to throw it all in boxes and drawers while suppressing my inner neat freak, but then I turned to Pinterest. I love admiring the artsy snapshots of other people’s DIY organized, fashionable, and life-hacked existences. Not so surprisingly, there was very little tailored to classical musicians on Pinterest. Below, I’ve adapted several Pinteresting ideas to help musicians turn 2016 into the most organized and productive year ever. After all, time spent…
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New Years Resolutions Every Musician Should Make
It’s that time of year again, when we swear off carbs, late-night Netflix binges, and vow to spend every spare moment at the gym. There’s something magical about a new year and a fresh start, and even if you don’t make resolutions, it’s a great opportunity for you to assess what went well the past year and how you can improve the next. Below are my suggestions for resolutions I believe every musician should make, along with a few tips I’ve learned from making (and breaking) these. Update your press kit. Check your resume, CV, biography, discography, and all other publicity materials for mistakes and add new accomplishments. This is also a great…
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‘Twas the Night Before the Concert
‘Twas the Night Before the Concert ‘Twas the night before the concert, when all through the hall not a note was sounded, not even a trumpet call. The reeds were tucked into their case, the best one first in hopes that the best would not become worst. The musicians were tossing all night in their beds, nightmares of squeaks and wrong notes danced in their heads. And Director in his tux, and I in my tails, had just scrambled our brains after squeaks and wails. When out in the greenroom there came such a noise I sprang from my chair trying to keep my poise. Across the stage I ran…
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Holiday Themed Warm-up Routine for All Ages
It’s that time of year again – when the fireplace crackles as you sip your skinny peppermint mocha under a fleece blanket and watch It’s a Wonderful Life for the umpteenth time. The air is filled with magic (unless you’re a bah humbug) and a slight chill to the air. For musicians, why not add some holiday cheer to your practice routine? These exercises are great for younger students (or children at heart) to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. “Joy to the World” scales – Has you ever noticed that “Joy to the World” is just a descending major scale? To get a proper warm-up, play this…
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Christmas Gift Ideas for the Musician in Your Life
Depending on how you look at it, musicians can be really easy to shop for (cash is king) or really difficult (a 1982 unopened box of reeds from Mount Everest – just kidding). Whether you’re a non-musician who doesn’t know the difference between a violin and a viola or someone who can wax poetic on the legacy of lesser-known composers, this list is for you. Here are my suggestions for gift ideas for the musician in your life: Christmas tree ornament of their instrument. Classic, but cute. Business cards. If you know the design the musician wants, you can make and order them online with services like Vistaprint. If you’re…
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Quick Fix Friday: Use A Dictionary
You’re working on a new piece of music. Life is good. You know all the right notes. Rhythms? Piece of cake! Accidentals? Got it covered! But what about those extra-musical words? It’s easy to tell yourself you’ll look those up…tomorrow. You’re doing yourself a huge musical disservice by ignoring the text. After all, there’s quite a difference between dolce and con fuoco! Quick fix? Buy and use a musical dictionary. Use your smartphone (which is turned off or in another room, right???). You can even take the lazy way out and use the camera function of the Google translate app to save your precious fingers from typing these unfamiliar words. It…